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Prozac to Venlafaxine
I tried Citalopram from 10mg to 40mg for 7 months, then the psychiatrist moved me to Prozac 40mg. I have been on this for about a month, and I can see a small amount of difference, but nothing great. I still get the suicidal thoughts, but I havent selfharmed in 3 weeks.
The psychiatrist said that after 6 weeks, I should be moved onto Venlafaxine, if there has been no improvement.
I am well aware of the potential side effects, and the chance that I may/may not get them. The one I am most worried about is weight gain. I lost weight on Citalopram/Prozac, but I think that was a concious effect, as I was so aware of the chances of gaining weight.
Do you think I should try the Venlafaxine, or stick out the Prozac for a bit longer? What would you/did you do/
The psychiatrist said that after 6 weeks, I should be moved onto Venlafaxine, if there has been no improvement.
I am well aware of the potential side effects, and the chance that I may/may not get them. The one I am most worried about is weight gain. I lost weight on Citalopram/Prozac, but I think that was a concious effect, as I was so aware of the chances of gaining weight.
Do you think I should try the Venlafaxine, or stick out the Prozac for a bit longer? What would you/did you do/
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If prozac is having some effect why are you so keen to change it? 40mg isn't the max dose so why not try increasing it first to see if the good effects increase as well. I'm not a psychiatrist though but it does seem weird they'd not try that.
Its having the smallest amount of difference. The psych didnt mention going any higher than 40mg, I am quite a small person, so maybe its that?
I know Ven is good for pulling people out of the deepest depths of depression
I know Ven is good for pulling people out of the deepest depths of depression
I would give the Venlafaxine a go. Its a different class of drug to citalopram and prozac (fluoxetine) so it might be the one that suits you best. By your own admission the other drugs arent doing much good so you havent found the right dose/drug regime yet. Hopefully you can find something that suits you and hopefully that will make more of a difference
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Its having the smallest amount of difference. The psych didnt mention going any higher than 40mg, I am quite a small person, so maybe its that?
I know Ven is good for pulling people out of the deepest depths of depression
I know Ven is good for pulling people out of the deepest depths of depression
Meh talk it over with your psychiatrist is probably the best idea, no one here is medically qualified. A little difference is better than no difference and SSRIs are pretty well tolerated so I wouldn't think being small would matter for them. But that's just my opinion. I know some antidepressants take up to 8 weeks to get to full effect, sometimes longer, so switching too quickly can stop you seeing the full effects.
ive been on prozac nearly 2 months overall, at 20mg, and now 40mg. I know Ven is an ssni, as opposed to an ssri, which makes me hopeful of the fact it might work.
yeah thats what i meant
what would you do?
The main problem with Ven is the possible weight gain, and the terrible time people have withdrawing from it
what would you do?
The main problem with Ven is the possible weight gain, and the terrible time people have withdrawing from it
I found it took a while for fluoxetine to effect, so I'd say give it some time, but it's up to you.
I also found it stopped working after 2 years, gutted.
I also found it stopped working after 2 years, gutted.
I was on Prozac for ages and switched in the past few months to Effexor/Venlavaxine (after also trying citalopram for a bit but did not help whatsoever). I find it helps more than the prozac did, but like i said i was on prozac for a long time, like a few years, and i think i sort of numbed out on any effects of it...i just felt very emotionless and needed to feel something again, you know? With venlavaxine i do find you need to be very stringent with taking it regularly as skipping a dose can feel awful, supposedly withdrawal from it is pretty much hell like you have touched on above. I haven't experienced weight-gain with it at all, and know others who use it and haven't either, i didn't even know it was a side effect tbh (isn't weight gain or lost listed as a side effect in all anti-d's?)
Good luck! Btw, i hope you aren't anon because you are ashamed of this...well i would understand if you were worried about the stigma of being on such medication, but it makes me sad...you shouldn't have to feel embarrassed or ashamed for being depressed.
Good luck! Btw, i hope you aren't anon because you are ashamed of this...well i would understand if you were worried about the stigma of being on such medication, but it makes me sad...you shouldn't have to feel embarrassed or ashamed for being depressed.
Thanks for the above. I'm anon cos of the cutting comment I made earlier, Im not embarrassed by depression, but I am by the fact I slash myself so I can continue in this world
No problem. I understand. I suffer with self harm as well, and i know how pathetic it can make you feel at times, to have to use something like that as a crutch. I hope things get better for you xx
I was on venlafaxine. I didn't gain weight on it and barely had any side effects. The onyl side effects I got was a dry mouth and tiredness. However, you're right in thinking the withdrawals are nasty. Venlafaxine is notorious for its withdrawal symptoms.
But yeah, I would try it. I loved the stuff.
But yeah, I would try it. I loved the stuff.
I have taken Venlafaxine for just less than a year, about 10 years ago now.
I probably overall lost weight, although I'd say my weight stayed the same more or less, I just didn't need to watch what I ate anymore.
I suffered no side effects, it was the most stable and pleasant year of my life. Coming off them was uncomfortable - I did it cold turkey, stopped all of a sudden and had a week of feeling totally weird, but then it was gone and i was pill free and normal.
If I could get the chance to try I would go for it, they really helped me.
I probably overall lost weight, although I'd say my weight stayed the same more or less, I just didn't need to watch what I ate anymore.
I suffered no side effects, it was the most stable and pleasant year of my life. Coming off them was uncomfortable - I did it cold turkey, stopped all of a sudden and had a week of feeling totally weird, but then it was gone and i was pill free and normal.
If I could get the chance to try I would go for it, they really helped me.
Venlafaxine is the prolonged release dosage form. It's not as specific as fluxetine in that it doesn't target just the serotonergic neurochemical, but NA too - obviously a side effect could disturbances of metabolism, leading to weight gain. They usually say fluoxetine symptoms worsen before they get better owing to the way the drug acts on the nerve terminals. Suicidal thoughts actually increase on initial dose of prozac - perhaps stick with it as the thoughts lift on subsequent dosage.
I'm on Prozac, and might be about to change. Does anyone have any other thoughts on venlafaxine.
bump
I've been on all of those medications, although Prozac and venlafaxine were the first two I was on. It seems very hasty to change an anti-depressant after only six weeks, especially when you have noticed some improvement. It can take longer than that for them to even start working. It is obviously up to you and your psychiatrist what you do, but personally I would stick with the Prozac for a bit longer.
I had awful side effects from venlafaxine, but everyone reacts differently and unless you try it you won't know how it will affect you.
I had awful side effects from venlafaxine, but everyone reacts differently and unless you try it you won't know how it will affect you.
I have been on all three of the drugs you mentioned, and I have to say that for me, the venlafaxine has been the best for me. I've been on it for a year and a half now.
As far as weight gain goes, I have actually lost weight on it. When I first started taking it, it completely killed my appetite to the point where even drinking a smoothie was a struggle. This passed though, and I haven't noticed any other effect on weight/appetite from it personally.
If you miss a couple of doses in a row, you do feel quite ill, so I imagine it will be quite difficult to come off. I've talked about this with my doctor though and he said when the time comes, if it is difficult, I will probably be switched to prozac, as this is much easier to come off and should stop the withdrawal effects.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I think you should make sure you make any concerns you have known to your psychiatrist, that's what they're there for
As far as weight gain goes, I have actually lost weight on it. When I first started taking it, it completely killed my appetite to the point where even drinking a smoothie was a struggle. This passed though, and I haven't noticed any other effect on weight/appetite from it personally.
If you miss a couple of doses in a row, you do feel quite ill, so I imagine it will be quite difficult to come off. I've talked about this with my doctor though and he said when the time comes, if it is difficult, I will probably be switched to prozac, as this is much easier to come off and should stop the withdrawal effects.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I think you should make sure you make any concerns you have known to your psychiatrist, that's what they're there for
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